The Carmi Ministerial Association will provide a new form of family entertainment beginning Saturday, Dec. 1. The association will host Faith and Family Theater, which will provide a series of family-friendly movies at the Carmi Fox Theater in downtown Carmi.

Tammy Knox

The Carmi Ministerial Association will provide a new form of family entertainment beginning Saturday, Dec. 1. The association will host Faith and Family Theater, which will provide a series of family-friendly movies at the Carmi Fox Theater in downtown Carmi.

The concept of entertainment for the whole family emerged from several months of talks between Steve Norris, pastor of Mercy Gate and president of the Carmi Ministerial Association, and Michael and Tammy Fox, owners of the Carmi Fox Theater.

"Steve (Norris) brought the idea of showing 'October Baby' in the theater," said Tammy. "Showing this movie was really successful. We also hosted a Youth Night, which was well attended. We identified a definite need and audience for an alternative movie choice to bring to our customers."

Norris approached the Carmi Ministerial Association with the idea and all were in agreement to back the project. The association represents various churches and ministers in the area and along with other projects, they are seeking ways to connect area kids and families by offering wholesome entertainment with a positive message. They also hope to offer movie goers the opportunity to hear the gospel through a movie format.

"We really feel strongly about this opportunity with Faith and Family Theater," said Norris. "This is something the ministerial association wanted to do and found a way to support it. We are bringing in two Christmas movies that will show in December. They will be a great Christmas outing for all families."

The Carmi Ministerial Association meets monthly with the meetings rotating between churches. Those pastors and churches active in the association include Mercy Gate, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Freedom Chapel, Living Hope, Trinity Assembly of God, Cherry Street Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian and McHenry United Methodist Church of Crossville.

Officers in the group include Norris as president, Steve McClure of First Christian Church as vice president, Chris Dewaal, youth pastor at First Baptist Church as secretary, and Gary Feldman of First United Methodist Church as treasurer. The organization oversees several events throughout the year, including the annual Baccalaureate service for graduating seniors each spring and a Good Friday service held at First United Methodist Church. Other events presented by the Carmi Ministerial Association includes a Patriotic Service at First Baptist Church near July 4 each year, Back to Church Sunday, the annual Thanksgiving Service at First Christian Church and Sacred Assemblies, all day prayer services conducted at the Downtown House of Prayer.

The Carmi Ministerial Association is also working on a new project, a city-wide benevolent center which would be located in the back building of the Downtown House of Prayer facility on Main Street in Carmi.

Always looking to serve the community, Faith and Family Theater is another avenue to reach families with a series of movies with good messages.

The first movie, "Christmas Angel," will feature Della Reese as a Christmas Angel who tries to teach a daughter and her single mom, played by Teri Polo, about requests to God. As Christmas Day approaches, the family receives an unwelcome answer from a suspicious doctor, played by Kevin Sorbo. The movie will play both Saturday, Dec. 1 and Sunday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Carmi Fox Theater. Admission is $5.

The Carmi Ministerial Association will also host a second movie in December. "Christmas With a Capital C" will play Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2 p.m. Ted McGinley plays a mayor of a small town and subjects such as the town's nativity scene become the focus of a violation of separation of church and state. Daniel Baldwin also stars in the movie.

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